Sourav Ganguly took a few moments to recall that historic day when he went out to toss with Naimur Rahman 10 years ago at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. It was November 10, 2000; a memorable day for the country's cricket as Bangladesh began life as a Test-playing nation on that particular day.
"I must confess I can't remember why this day is significant," responded Ganguly when asked whether he could remember the day's importance.
The former India captain, who arrived yesterday to grace the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 countdown function in Dhaka, dealt with the googly while speaking with the reporters at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Once given a hint, he quickly recalled: "Yes, I can remember everything now. It was Bangladesh's inaugural Test match and they scored 400-plus runs in the first innings," replied Ganguly.
It was also a small piece of history as it was not just Ganguly's first Test as India's captain, but the first time in cricket history when two Bengali-speaking skippers led their sides.
India's most successful Test captain believed Bangladesh have improved a lot in the last 10 years since they have been elevated into the elite club.
"There were some good players in the squad when we played the first Test against them but there are a number of quality players in the team now. The recent performance against New Zealand showed the real sign of improvement," said Ganguly.
"I keenly follow Bangladesh cricket and watched all the matches against New Zealand. The 4-0 scoreline was amazing. I think their performance has significantly improved in the last one year. There are young players like Shakib [Al Hasan] and Tamim [Iqbal] who are showing their characters," he added.
"The good sign is that the players are performing but there are still a lot of areas they must improve on.
"I believe they will become a much better side soon if they continue their improvement. The improvement in the longer-version might not be satisfactory but you can't expect everything overnight," he said.
Ganguly was confident about Bangladesh's success in the upcoming World Cup as he thinks that the slow bowlers have an advantage in home conditions.
"Staging the World Cup and performing in it is a totally different thing. I firmly believe Bangladesh has the quality to play good cricket in the coming World Cup in their own conditions. They already proved against New Zealand that how good they are in their home soil," opined Ganguly, who considered the 2003 World Cup performance as the best in his career.
He also said that Bangladesh were on the right track now under the guidance of Australian coach Jamie Siddons.
"I never got any concrete offer from Bangladesh about a coaching job. I think the team is doing well under Jamie [Siddons], so there is no need to involve more people. But I'm always interested in Bangladesh cricket," said Ganguly.
He however suggested that Bangladesh must go for long-term planning. "World Cup is important but they must think beyond the mega event. The important thing is that they must perform abroad. It's nice to watch Tamim hitting a hundred at Lord's. Some other players also performed in different conditions," he observed.
One of the greatest one-day batsmen of all time, Ganguly emphasises on the longer-version cricket although the Twenty20 format is seemingly taking the centre-stage these days. The latest version of the game could be a big threat for a country like Bangladesh who are yet to get a firm grip of the longer-version.
"Twenty20 is financially lucrative and there is also huge public interest in it because of the short time it takes [to complete the game]. But Test cricket is the real deal.
"One can be successful in any format if he is good in Test cricket. So, young cricketers must concentrate on that format," advised Ganguly, informing that he has a plan to play in the Indian Premier League for two more years.
Besides cricket there was an obvious question about his popular TV show "Dadagiri".
"I'm really enjoying this show," said a smiling Ganguly.

He however suggested that Bangladesh must go for long-term planning. "World Cup is important but they must think beyond the mega event. The important thing is that they must perform abroad. It's nice to watch Tamim hitting a hundred at Lord's. Some other players also performed in different conditions," he observed.

SIGN THESE COACHES FOR LONG TERM!! Even someone from the outside knows this. But good to know he follows our cricket. If it was some other big shot player, they wouldn't know about all that, even this recent 4-0.

One of the greatest one-day batsmen of all time, Ganguly emphasises on the longer-version cricket although the Twenty20 format is seemingly taking the centre-stage these days. The latest version of the game could be a big threat for a country like Bangladesh who are yet to get a firm grip of the longer-version.
"Twenty20 is financially lucrative and there is also huge public interest in it because of the short time it takes [to complete the game]. But Test cricket is the real deal.

BCB take a note. (We all know that anyway)

__________________ I love Bangladesh cricket and that's why I found BanglaCricket.com

LOL at that Shomkal Article. Who asked question in English? I guess it was rightly so because ESPN was viewing this so others from around the world had to understand. But Mashafe's clothing criticizem was rightly so. Stupid ***. And why Mash. Shakib is our captain. I dont want Mashrafe to captain the side. Let him lead the team 1st

Respect Ganguly, respect.
Also, he seemed quite interested to become a coach/advisor. I think he would make a tremendous head coach, he is a really good leader who can lift everyone's game. Also if he comes to coach us, we will instantly have the following/support of the West Bengal

SG is from that country who is not still interested in world's best allrounder and Tamim for IPL, may be because they are Bangladeshi.

Also we know how our players were treated in IPL. His silence does not tell me he is an advocator of BD cricket.

May be, that is why Mash was not feeling comfortable beside him.

Ridiculousness at its peak.
Tamim & Shakib was not selected because they didn't hog the limelight much then. I bet they will be selected this year. And it has got nothing to do with ganguly or Indians, stop generalizing like that. Team owners are the bosses and their word is all that counts.

And how BD players are treated in IPL? Anything except your own conspiracy theories and speculations? Last time they played one was Mashrafe, and paid the price for it. There are only 4 slots for Intl players, and there are none too good to play as one of them except Shakib. I hope they realize that and play him this year.

Seriously FA? You are embarrassing all of us. The year Mashrafe played, Ganguly wasn't the captain of KKR, he couldn't have done anything. Only reason Mashrafe got picked is because SRK wanted to gain fanbase. Whole Bangladesh would have followed KKR if Mash was playing. And he would have trippled the price he payed to buy Mash. But SRK's plan was ruined when IPL moved to SA. And as for that, Mash was valueless, and they wouldn't want to pay that much money for a valueless guy. The less he played, less they had to pay him. Mash was hardly picked for his "talent".The guy who can't even handle for 5 overs of ODI death over.

And "SG is from that country who is not still interested in world's best allrounder and Tamim". It's a league bro, hardly has anything to do with "that country" as whole. And let just say, it's India's fault (even thought IDK what fault we are talking about) but how is that SG's problem.

Originally Posted by shakibrulz
Ridiculousness at its peak.
Tamim & Shakib was not selected because they didn't hog the limelight much then. I bet they will be selected this year. And it has got nothing to do with ganguly or Indians, stop generalizing like that. Team owners are the bosses and their word is all that counts.

And how BD players are treated in IPL? Anything except your own conspiracy theories and speculations? Last time they played one was Mashrafe, and paid the price for it. There are only 4 slots for Intl players, and there are none too good to play as one of them except Shakib. I hope they realize that and play him this year.

agreed except those line... They misused mash nd ash.. You cant judje a player by playing a single match... And the way buchanon bhave with mash during that ipl season thats unacceptable.. Do u think jp duminiy was (is) a t20 material
that season (still) ?? His strike rate was just above 100 during that whole season! Bt they didnt ash give a single chance bfore the last valueless match..

And only reason Mash was so "uncomfortable" next to SG, because Mash was nervous in front of all that people and as that bangla newspaper said "Ganguly is so nicely dressed up, next to him Mahrafe looks like a comedian"

Originally Posted by shakibrulz
Ridiculousness at its peak.
Tamim & Shakib was not selected because they didn't hog the limelight much then. I bet they will be selected this year. And it has got nothing to do with ganguly or Indians, stop generalizing like that. Team owners are the bosses and their word is all that counts.

And how BD players are treated in IPL? Anything except your own conspiracy theories and speculations? Last time they played one was Mashrafe, and paid the price for it. There are only 4 slots for Intl players, and there are none too good to play as one of them except Shakib. I hope they realize that and play him this year.

What? Shakib became one of the world's 10 best all rounders last year, and last IPL ended in june/July this year, 2010. Tell me how Shakib was not in the lime light?

I talked about SG's advocacy, not participating in the decision making/influencing.

IPL never treated BD players well, Ash was not allowed to play. Mash just played one game, which dd not give enough exposure in this type of mental game, Buchanon misbehaved Ash.

Originally Posted by Dilscoop
Seriously FA? You are embarrassing all of us. The year Mashrafe played, Ganguly wasn't the captain of KKR, he couldn't have done anything. Only reason Mashrafe got picked is because SRK wanted to gain fanbase. Whole Bangladesh would have followed KKR if Mash was playing. And he would have trippled the price he payed to buy Mash. But SRK's plan was ruined when IPL moved to SA. And as for that, Mash was valueless, and they wouldn't want to pay that much money for a valueless guy. The less he played, less they had to pay him. Mash was hardly picked for his "talent".The guy who can't even handle for 5 overs of ODI death over.

And "SG is from that country who is not still interested in world's best allrounder and Tamim". It's a league bro, hardly has anything to do with "that country" as whole. And let just say, it's India's fault (even thought IDK what fault we are talking about) but how is that SG's problem.

Seriously just stop

Getting embarrsed is your problem, but I am entitled to give my opinions here. I am talking about SG's advocay for BD cricket.

How can you call Mash a valueless guy, when he was allowed to play only one game? And that valueless guy is our captain. Very good, very nice.